Huskers head indoors for first time this Fall

Steve Ryan

08/10/2010

With the heat still hammering down the Huskers went inside and even turned on the A/C. Offensive Coordinator/Quarterback Coach Shawn Watson talked after practice today about why they went indoors and just how some position races are looking right now.

The Huskers went inside and for the first time this Fall with
the air conditioning on. Offensive Coordinator/Quarterback Coach Shawn Watson said after practice today, that to do what they want at the level
they want, it was just a good move. But he also acknowledged that the
heat can have an impact. "After awhile, the human body just wears down,"
Watson said. "That plus we want practice high intensity where we are
able execute through the duration of practice. It's smart to come
inside. We just wanted our practices more crisp."

Niles Paul
and Brandon Kinnie have continued to be a focal point of questions in
regard to the receivers who could have the biggest impact this year. But
as Watson said after practice today, they are competing right now at a
pretty high level. "They are competing. They are bringing a high level
to the receiver position. They are really competing against a really
good secondary and they are making plays," he said. "They are really
physical too. Both of them are 225 lbs. receivers who can run."

Michael
McNeill, at one point a tight end and now sort of a receiver, is also
competing, Watson said. But he said it's a bit different. "Mike has a
special role. We use him in several different spots, so he doesn't
really compete with them for the same position," Watson said. "He's more
of an inside guy for us."

Ben Cotton, a sophomore tight end
with great size, has been looked at as an heir apparent of sorts to
McNeill, and also a compliment to current tight ends, senior Dreu Young
and sophomore Kyler Reed. One of the chief reasons the coaches thought
the move of McNeill would be a plus all the way around was due to
Cotton's progression. "Ben is such a good football player. He reminds me
of the tight ends I had at Colorado," Watson said. "He can run. He can
catch. He can block. He can do everything. We wanted to clear the way for
him."

Not participating in today's practice was senior
offensive lineman Keith Williams, who Head Coach Bo Pelini said might be
out a couple of days with a pulled muscle. Also not practicing was
junior offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick. At practice for the first
time this Fall, however, was redshirt freshman offensive lienman Nick Ash, who participated with just a helmet, due to the mandated
acclimation period where players have to start off with a helmet and
work up to full pads. The rest of the team was in half pads today.

The Huskers will resume practice tomorrow and for the first time this Fall, do it in full pads.

Click the following link for the full post practice audio with Shawn Watson